HC Deb 15 June 1911 vol 26 cc1659-60
Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTT

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India, whether the Secretary of State has had his attention called to a recent judgment of the High Court of Allahabad, in the Budaun dacoity case, in which twenty-one persons, who had been sentenced by the additional Sessions Judge to terms varying from transportation for life to six years' rigorous imprisonment on a charge of committing robberies, were all acquitted; whether he is aware that the principal evidence against them was that of a convict alleged to have given information to a policeman of the Criminal Investigation Department, and that the chief justice and his colleague held the evidence of this informer, as well as the supposed corroborative evidence, to be quite untrustworthy; and what steps the Government propose to take in view of the frequent failure of prosecutions depending upon such informers, the injury caused to the accused, and the cost to the public?

Mr. MONTAGU

It is the case that twenty-one persons who had been sentenced by the Sessions Court to transportation or imprisonment were acquitted on appeal to the High Court, and that the principal evidence against them was that of a convict informer which the High Court did not accept as trustworthy although the Sessions Judge had believed it to be substantially correct. The procedure in gang dacoity cases, and the use to be made of the evidence of informers are receiving careful consideration of the local government, which it is expected will shortly issue orders. The Government of India will then consider the subject in its connection with the procedure in other provinces.

Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTT

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether the increasing frequency with which these and similar cases are reported is due to an increase in the evil or to an increase in vigilance on the part of the authorities?

Mr. MONTAGU

It is precisely the increasing frequency which has come to the notice of the Government which has led the local government to consider the point in connection with the procedure, and we intend to give orders for reforms.

Mr. WEDGWOOD

I do not know whether it arises out of the question, but, may I ask whether it is proposed to make any large amnesty of political offenders in connection with the Coronation?

Mr. MONTAGU

I do not think that that arises out of the question.